Be Rich (Ephesians): Gaining the Things That Money Can't Buy

Be Right Romans How to be right with God, yourself and others. Warren W. Wiersbe David C. Cook, 2008 ISBN: 9781434768476 Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com, 10/08 5 stars "The key to understanding the rest of the Bible..." Be Right was written to help the reader understand the core message of the letter to the Romans and to help the reader apply the knowledge to their own life. This book is an overview of the epistle. The book of Romans is not an easy read. The book was written by Paul in his own extremely intelligent manner. Warren W. Wiersbe, author of Be Right, divided the scripture into manageable sections. He offers insight on a section of scripture before moving to the next. At the end of each chapter, he has "Questions For Personal Reflection Or Group Discussion." There are 13 chapters. I am always on the lookout for a good Bible Study to use in my Adult Bible Study Class. Be Right has great possibilities. I have avoided Romans, because it is a complicated chapter. You have to think hard to study Romans. Wiersbe has an excellent approach, an overview of the entire book to reap the message, and then an indepth study could follow. Wiersbe states, "If you understand Romans, you will have the key to understanding the rest of the Bible. Better still, you will have the secret to successful Christian living."

Years ago, when I was just starting my Christian journey, I discovered Dr. Wiersbe's "Be" series and they provided me with a healthy start in learning to study scripture. My first encounter was this commentary on Romans. Dr. Wiersbe's commentaries are solid evangelical works that do not shrink back from tackling some of the sticky theological questions. I owe a great debt to these commentaries. But, I would now also have to suggest the reader supplement their study with either The Navarre Bible: Romans and Galatians (The Navarre Bible: New Testament) or The Letter of St. Paul to the Romans: Revised Standard Version/2nd Catholic Edition (Ignatius Catholic Study Bible). It is important for the careful student to be aware of the historical context of the Church's teaching and not be limited to only one side of the question. Pope Benedict XVI has declared 2008 the year of St. Paul and so it is especially fitting to study Paul's epistles with a careful eye.

The book covers the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians (New Testament). We used this book in a small home bible study. The format of the book makes it easy for people to read the chapter and do the questions at home and then to come to the bible study prepared for discussion. The book content and our answers to questions were a good springboard for some very interesting conversations among us. The chapter questions aren't always "the best" (rumor has it Wiersbe did not write them himself), so I recommend you provide yourselves the flexibility to dispute the actual question (which also lends itself to good discussion) -- maybe even skipping a few or rewording a few. As a group, we got so much out of using this book, we have decided to continue with other Wiersbe "Be" series books.

This book starts in chapter 1 going over man's condition, how that man has gotten away from God, and needs to come back to Him. Chapter 1 also tells how depraved man is and has a need for the Savior. Chapter 2 continues in the same vain as Chapter 1. Chapter 3, 4, 5, show man is a sinner, there are none that seek after God, but God seeks them. Chapter 5 mentions that Adam fell in the garden of Eden, but that Jesus as the new Adam did not fall and that Jesus has paid our sin debt. Chapter 6 tells how that those who have accepted Christ are no longer are the Law of Moses but are free from the penatly of sin. Chapter 7 teaches about man's desire to do things that are sinful, and that it is easy to do things that are sinful, but hard to do things that are right. Chapter 8 mentions that those who are in the Spirit with Jesus and are joint heirs with Him. Chapter 9 tells about Abraham and Elijah, as well as the fact that Sarah would have a child is told about. Chapter 10 tells about man's need for Christ and how that man can accept Christ. Chapter 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16 cover the Old Testament people, the fact that Christians should offer up themselves as a living sacrifice to Christ. The obeying of laws of the land, and to higher powers. That after accepting Jesus, He will be our comforter, our help in time of trouble. Chapter 15 talks about Paul's ministry, and Chapter 16 is a personal greeting to those he knows who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior.